Although Yakushima is located in the south of Japan and may seem warm, this image can be misleading.
It’s true that the coastal villages where people live have a mild climate, but the mountain areas where our tours take place are not as warm as you might expect.
Proper clothing is crucial for a safe and comfortable hike.
Because weather and temperature can change suddenly in the mountains, it’s important to dress in layers you can easily adjust.
We recommend a moisture-wicking base layer, a warm middle layer, and an outer layer that protects against wind and rain.
As elevation increases, the temperature drops, so be prepared with fleece, a down jacket, gloves, and a warm hat.
Wearing inappropriate clothing increases the risk of hypothermia or heatstroke.
Please check the weather forecast in advance and make sure your gear matches the expected conditions.
Temparature in the mountains in Yakushima
The graph above is based on average monthly temperature data for Yakushima, provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency, and shows approximate temperatures by elevation.
As an example, let’s look at the temperature table for the coldest month (January) and the hottest month (August) on the Jomon Sugi trail.
This trail starts at an elevation of 600 meters and reaches 1,300 meters at the Jomon Sugi.
In January, the temperature at the trailhead is around 10°C, and at the Jomon Sugi it’s about 6°C. In August, the trailhead is about 25°C, while the Jomon Sugi is around 20°C.
| trail head （600m） | Jomon Sugi Cedar （1,300m） | |
| January | 10℃ | 6℃ |
| August | 25℃ | 20℃ |
However, please note that the graph shows monthly averages, and actual temperatures can vary significantly depending on the time of day.
In January, temperatures at the trailhead can drop below 5°C, and at the Jomon Sugi observation deck, it is often below freezing, with snow accumulation not uncommon.
As you can see, even though Yakushima is located in the south, temperatures in the mountains can drop quite low—not only in winter, but also during summer.
It’s important to be prepared for cold conditions at higher elevations, regardless of the season.
Example of Clothing While Trekking
Summer
-Cap
-Moisture-wicking T-shirt
-Moisture-wicking long pants
（Tights with shorts are also acceptable）
-Thick socks
-Trekking shoes
Spring / Autumn
-Cap
-Moisture-wicking T-shirt
-Warm fleece
-Moisture-wicking long pants
（Tights with shorts are also acceptable）
-Thick socks
-Trekking shoes
Winter
-Beanie
-Moisture-wicking T-shirt
-Warm fleece
-Warm jacket
-Thick moisture-wicking long pants
-Thick socks
-Trekking shoes
Clothing List
| Summer | Spring /Autumn | Winter | 備考 | |
| Cap / Hat ※ | △ | △ | △ | -sunshade -recommended for those wearing glasses in the rain |
| Moisture-wicking T-shirt | ○ | ○ | ○ | Cotton dries slowly and is not recommended. |
| Moisture-wicking shirt / jacket | ○ | ○ | ○ | -long sleeves protect your skin from injury and insects Cotton dries slowly and is not recommended. |
| Warm jacket (Fleece) | △ | ○ | ○ | Keeping Warm During Breaks, Lunch, and Overnight |
| Down jacket | ー | △ | ○ | Keeping Warm During Breaks, Lunch, and Overnight |
| Moisture-wicking long pants | ○ | ○ | ○ | -Lightweight in summer, warmer/thicker in winter Tights with shorts are also acceptable in warm temperature –Cotton dries slowly and is not recommended |
| socks | ○ | ○ | ○ | -Thicker socks help prevent blister -bring extra socks for multi-day trekking |
| Trekking shoes ※ | ○ | ○ | ○ | Proper water proof trekking shoes are recommended. Do not use OLD trekking shoes. |
Items marked with an asterisk (*) are available for rental on Yakushima Island.
We highly recommend using Yakushima Rental, our official rental partner.
You can enjoy a 10% discount when renting through them.
Important Notes
-Depending on the season, it may be cold at the start of the hike but can get hot while walking. Please wear layers that are easy to put on and take off to avoid excessive sweating.
-Cotton fabrics is not suitable as it dry slowly and can make you feel cold. Please wear quick-drying materials as much as possible.
-Rainwear is primarily for use during wet weather. Occasionally, some guests wear rain pants directly over their underwear—please make sure to wear proper hiking pants underneath.
-If you are concerned about sunburn or insect bites, we recommend wearing long sleeves and long pants.
-Most routes go through forested areas, so sun exposure is limited. Be aware that sunscreen may attract insects.
-Inappropriate clothing may result in being denied participation, even on the day of the tour. In such cases, no refunds will be provided.
Wanderlust Yakushima 